Strongmen Love Jet Fighters

Recep Teyyip Erdogan changed his "nay" vote on Sweden's admission to NATO to a "yea" after a bit of logrolling that involved Congress approving the transfer of F16 fighters to the Turkish Air Force.

Now we have Orban removing his objections coincidentally after Sweden agreed to sell Hungary four Saab JAS 39C Gripens (the Magyar Légierő currently operates a dozen leased Gripens as its fixed-wing combat strength.)

The moral of the story: If you want a thuggish autocrat to send you nice Christmas cards, get 'em the hookup with some spiffy jet fighters.

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